Dongyang Lee Hyekyung Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Illegally Selling Artworks Subject to Provisional Seizure
![[Image source=Yonhap News]](http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/img_view.htm?img=2020112511381230356_1606271892.jpg)
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Supreme Court has finalized a sentence of 1 year and 6 months in prison for Lee Hye-kyung, former Vice Chairman of Dongyang Group, who was prosecuted for attempting to divert and sell high-priced artworks to avoid provisional seizure.
The Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Justice Lee Heung-gu) on the 30th upheld the original sentence of 2 years in prison for Lee, who was charged with evading compulsory execution.
Hong Song-won, CEO of Seomi Gallery, who was tried together, was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison for evading compulsory execution, and for violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (tax evasion) received a 1 year and 6 months prison sentence with a 3-year probation and a fine of 2 billion KRW.
The court stated, "There is no error in the original judgment that exceeded the limits of free evaluation of evidence or misinterpreted the law affecting the verdict."
Lee was indicted on charges of diverting artworks worth tens of billions owned by group executives from November 2013 to March 2014 and selling some of them to avoid provisional seizure.
Hong was prosecuted for selling dozens of artworks diverted by Lee on her behalf and for operating the gallery without paying taxes.
At that time, the court was proceeding with provisional seizure procedures against Lee as a follow-up measure to the Dongyang Group incident, which caused damage to 40,000 people through large-scale fraudulent corporate bond issuance.
Hot Picks Today
!["Rather Than Endure a 1.5 Million KRW Stipend, I'd Rather Earn 500 Million in the U.S." Top Talent from SNU and KAIST Are Leaving [Scientists Are Disappearing] ①](https://cwcontent.asiae.co.kr/asiaresize/93/2026051914165468840_1779167814.png)
"Rather Than Endure a 1.5 Million KRW Stipend, I'd Rather Earn 500 Million in the U.S." Top Talent from SNU and KAIST Are Leaving [Scientists Are Disappearing] ①
- "Not Jealous of Winning the Lottery"... Entire Village Stunned as 200 Million Won Jackpot of Wild Ginseng Cluster Discovered at Jirisan
- "I'll Stop by Starbucks Tomorrow": People Power Chungbuk Committee and Geoje Mayoral Candidate Face Criticism for Alleged 5·18 Demeaning Remarks
- "I Will Give Them a Chance for Self-Examination": Chinese Scientific Community Shaken by Influencer's Preemptive Whistleblowing
- "How Did an Employee Who Loved Samsung End Up Like This?"... Past Video of Samsung Electronics Union Chairman Resurfaces
The first trial sentenced Lee to 2 years in prison and Hong to a total of 3 years and 6 months in prison along with a fine of 2 billion KRW. The second trial maintained Lee's sentence but reduced Hong's sentence for the violation of the Special Act to probation, citing full payment of the evaded taxes.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
